BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans spot 'dark horse in the making' after week one

Strictly Come Dancing fans have named the competition's 'dark horse in the making' after a spectacular first week in the ballroom. The BBC One dance contest's first live show of the 2024 series took place on Saturday night (September 21).

The first episode of the 22nd series of Strictly actually aired the previous weekend and saw epic performances from the show's talented group of professional dancers but all eyes were on finding out which celebrity had been paired with which pro.

However, it was over the weekend that the competition really got underway as all 15 of the new Strictly couples performed together for the first time before reciging their first set of judges' comments and scores.

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And while they didn't receive votes from fans just yet, as lines will open in week two next Saturday (September 28) ahead of the first elimination, a ;eaderboard was still revealed at the end of night one with JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden topping the scoring so far.

After their first performance, the pair were awarded 31 points by the judges for their waltz to When I Need You by singer Leo Sayer. In second place was Love Island’s first deaf contestant Tasha Ghouri who was given 30 points from the judges after her performance with dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec.

Joining them in the second place sport was actress Sarah Hadland and reigning champion Vito Coppola who were also awarded 30 points after their quickstep to the Dolly Parton classic 9 To 5.

Meanwhile, Strictly’s first blind contestant, comedian Chris McCausland, was told he was "fabulous" after his performance with professional dancer Dianne Buswell which received 23 points from the judges.

And it was Chris who was the star of the show as his and Dianne's performance to The Beatles' hit 'Twist and Shout' and fans were quick to brand him the 'dark horse' of the whole competition this year.

@x_allowaygrove said: "I am in awe of @chrismccausland. What a fantastic routine!! @bbcstrictly #strictly. Could be a dark horse in the making here!" @MsShiny_1997 commented: "YES!!!!! I just KNEW Chris would be a dark horse! Will it last? Who knows...The main point is - all of the nasty and judgemental little nobodies have been proven so VERY wrong. #Strictly."

@SL_Dee73 added: "YES YES YES!!!! @chrismccausland @dbuzz6589 that was the dance of the night! See I said you were a dark horse #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly."

But some actually think the title goes to Dr Punam Krishan who was given 19 points after she and her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez performed the cha cha to Love At First Sight by Australian pop star Kylie Minogue.

@RyanTheSoapking posted: "I knew Dr P was going to be a dark Horse. I knew that Latin was going to be for her from the moment she was paired up with Gorka. That was a great first dance. She's one to watch. #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly." @katbrown added: "I just adore Punam's energy. I think she could be a real dark horse. She would be the best fun on a night out – or a coffee break, for that matter. #Strictly."